## Moving Light in Substance Designer
Substance Designer is a powerful node-based texture creation tool that allows users to create complex and realistic materials, textures, and patterns. One of the most important aspects of creating realistic materials is the ability to control the way light interacts with the surface. This can be achieved by controlling the surface’s reflectance, roughness, and other properties.
In this article, we will explore how to move light in Substance Designer using the **Light** node. The **Light** node allows users to create and control the direction and intensity of light in their scene. This can be used to create a variety of effects, such as shadows, highlights, and reflections.
### Creating a Light Node
To create a **Light** node, simply click on the **Create** menu and select **Light**. This will create a new **Light** node in your graph.
### Controlling the Light’s Direction and Intensity
The **Light** node has two main properties that control its behavior: **Direction** and **Intensity**. The **Direction** property controls the direction in which the light is emitted. The **Intensity** property controls the brightness of the light.
To change the **Direction** of the light, simply click and drag on the **Direction** handle. You can also enter a specific direction value in the **Direction** field.
To change the **Intensity** of the light, simply enter a value in the **Intensity** field. The higher the value, the brighter the light will be.
### Using the Light Node to Create Shadows
One of the most common uses for the **Light** node is to create shadows. Shadows are created when an object blocks the light from reaching a surface. To create a shadow, simply place a **Light** node behind the object that you want to cast the shadow.
The size and shape of the shadow will depend on the size and shape of the object that is blocking the light. The closer the object is to the light, the smaller and more defined the shadow will be. The farther the object is from the light, the larger and more diffuse the shadow will be.
### Using the Light Node to Create Highlights
Highlights are created when light reflects off of a surface. To create a highlight, simply place a **Light** node in front of the surface that you want to highlight.
The size and shape of the highlight will depend on the size and shape of the surface that is reflecting the light. The closer the light is to the surface, the smaller and more defined the highlight will be. The farther the light is from the surface, the larger and more diffuse the highlight will be.
### Using the Light Node to Create Reflections
Reflections are created when light bounces off of a surface and then reaches another surface. To create a reflection, simply place a **Light** node in front of the surface that you want to reflect the light.
The size and shape of the reflection will depend on the size and shape of the surface that is reflecting the light. The closer the light is to the surface, the smaller and more defined the reflection will be. The farther the light is from the surface, the larger and more diffuse the reflection will be.
### Conclusion
The **Light** node is a powerful tool that can be used to create a variety of effects in Substance Designer. By understanding how to control the direction and intensity of light, you can create realistic shadows, highlights, and reflections.
## Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips for working with the **Light** node:
* Use multiple light nodes to create more complex lighting effects.
* Experiment with different light directions and intensities to see how they affect the look of your material.
* Use the **Light** node in conjunction with other nodes, such as the **Reflection** node and the **Refraction** node, to create even more realistic effects.